Rocking supports for writing implements



April 12, 1966 F. M. AIMES 3,245,384

ROCKING SUPPORTS FOR WRITING IMPLEMENTS Filed Dec. 31, 1964 2 A? 6 Q 20 T L 20M T 3 I 3 INVENTOR.

Fm: NC/5 M 147M755 BY ATTORNEY 3,245,384 ROCKING SUPPORTS FOR WRITING IMPLEMENTS Francis M. Aimes, Chatham, N.Y. Filed Dec. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 422,662 Claims. (Cl. 120-108) This invention relates to a simple and economical form of device, generally spherical in form, to provide a rocking support for writing implements, such as pens and pencils, when the device is arranged upon a desk or other support. More particularly, the invention deals with a device of the character defined comprising two generally similar molded plastic parts adhesively secured together on adjacent surfaces, both parts having, offset with respect to the center thereof, a partition wall dividing the resulting assemblage into an upper implement receiving compartment and a lower weighted compartment.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a device of the type and kind including means for alining and keying the parts in the assemblage thereof and in providing, in registration with both compartments, apertures for admission of a writing implement into the upper compartment and admission of weighting means into the lower compartment after the parts of the device have been assembled.

Still further, the invention deals in a device of the character defined having, on each of the parts protruding annular rings collectively forming a rocking track support for the device, maintaining the writing implement aperture of the device always in accessible position in the rocking movement of the device when in use.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of a device made according to my invention, omitting the showing of a writing implement therein in illustrating the normal position of the device when the Writing implement is removed for use.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device, as seen in FIG. 1, with parts of the construction broken away to illustrate the positioning of a writing pen in the device and the plugging of an aperture to seal the lower weighted compartment of the device, the showing in FIG. 2 being a rocked position with respect to the showing in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view, generally on the line 33 of FIG. 1, of one part of the device detached in diagrammatically illustrating the various cooperating components of each of the parts of the assembled device; and

FIG. 4 is a section on the line 44 of FIG. 3, with part of the background showing in section.

In illustrating one adaptation and use of my invention, I have shown in the accompanying drawing a generally spherical writing implement supporting body or device 10, composed of two generally similar parts 11, 11'. In this connection, the brief description of the part 11, as most clearly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing, will apply to both parts and, as and Where illustrated, common reference numerals will be primed on the part 11. The parts 11 and 11' have circumferentially protruding rings or ribs 12, 12' on the periphery thereof, which form the surface engaging portions of the device permitting rocking of the device on the rings. Adjacent surfaces of the parts abut, as seen at 13 in FIG. 1.

Spaced circumferentially of the inner surface of each of the parts are elongated ribs 14, including protruding alinement pins 15, one of which is shown in FIG. 4, the terminal ends of the pin 15 being slightly bevelled, as seen at 16 in said figure. Again, considering FIG. 3, at 17 is shown other opposed ribs having sockets 18 United States Patent 0 3,245,384 Patented Apr. 12, 1966 therein and one of these sockets 18 is shown in section in FIG. 4 of the drawing. The socket 18 of the part 11 is adapted to receive pins, similar to the pins 15 but on the part 11'; whereas, the pins 15 of the part 11 are adapted to fit sockets,. similar to the sockets 18 in the part 11', as will be apparent. Four other ribs 19 are also employed to reinforce and strengthen the peripheral portion of the device, particularly adjacent the parting line 13. Each part 11, 11' has a relatively large semi-circular recess 20, 20', which recesses collectively form an implement receiving aperture 21, as clearly noted in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

Considering FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing, it will appear that the part 11 has a transverse partition 22 arranged oflfset with respect to the center of the spherical device, in other words, below the ribs 19 at sides of the part 11, as shown in FIG. 3. The part 11 has a similar partition, which is not shown, and these two partitions, when the parts 11, 11' are joined, form within the device 10 an upper implement receiving compartment 23 and a lower weighted compartment 24.

In alinement with the lower surface of the partition 22 a recess 25 is formed on the surface of the part 11, note FIG. 4, and the companion part 11' will have a similar recess and these recesses collectively will form an aperture 26 in the resulting device adapted to receive a plug 27 in sealing that compartment 24 after suitable weighting material 28 has been positioned in the compartment 24. In the present illustration of FIG. 2, this weighting material is illustrated as fine shot, but can be any other type and kind of weighting material to normally support the device in the position of FIG. 1 when the Writing implement is removed and in the position substantially as that illustrated in FIG. 2 when a writing implement, such as a ballpoint pen 29, is mounted in the device. The writing tip 30 of the pen is adapted to be supported on the upper surface of the partition wall, as diagrammatically illustrated, and the weight of the pen will rock the device clockwise from the position of FIG. 1 when the pen is inserted, to the position of FIG. 2. The degree of rocking will depend entirely upon the weight of the pen.

Considering, by Way of illustration, FIG. 3 of the drawing, it will appear that the axis of the aperture 21 is at a slight angle to the normal vertical or perpendicular axis of the ball-shaped device 10, as well as being always at an angle to the horizontal partition 22. This would be the position assumed by the device with the weight in the lower compartment 24 when the writing implement 29 is removed. Now, considering FIG. 2 of the drawing, when the writing implement 29 is inserted in the aperture 21, the angularity of the axis of the aperture, as well as that of the writing implement, is greater in comparison with the now changed vertical or perpendicular axis of the ball-shaped device 10, being shifted by the weight of the writing implement 29 and this changed axis maintains the same angular relationship to the partition 22, which has now changed its angular position in modifying the vertical axis of the device 10. In other words, the angularity of the aperture 21 to the partition 22 is always maintained, as above stated. It is also pointed out that the weight 28, below the partition 22, will normally maintain the device 10 in the position shown in FIG. 3 when the implement 29 is removed and this weight is suflicient to check rocking movement to retain the implement substantially in the position shown in FIG. 2. It will be apparent that, in the operation of inserting the writing implement, the device 10 will rock, to a degree, and, then, come to rest, substantially as seen in FIG. 2, retaining the writing implement accessible for grasping and removal.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the aperture 21 will always be accessible for insertion of any type and kind of writing implement, as well as the removal thereof from the device, regardless of What swinging position the device may assume. In other words, in the illustration in FIG. 1, the aperture 21 is shown at the right of the device, but it can assume any position circumferentially around the axis of the device, as illustrated in this figure.

By reason of the simplicity in the method of production of the device and assemblage of the parts, a device of the type and kind under consideration can be economically produced and the end product provides a readily accessible holder for any type of Writing implement occupying a minimum amount of surface space on a desk or other support of any type or kind and, particularly, where support space is at a premium as, for example, on a small telephone stand and the like.

It will also be apparent that the showing in the accom panying drawing is by way of illustrating a simple form or adaptation of the invention. Further, each part of the device, at least beyond the rocking tracks defined by the rings or ribs 12, 12, can be termed laterally extending side positions of any desired shape or form, in other words, characterized in any desired manner, so long as a Weighted chamber is maintained in the lower part of the device to at all times leave the apertured portion of the rocking track upward in maintaining accessibility of the writing implement and recoupling the implement with the device. From this standpoint, it will be apparent that the device can be utilized as an advertising medium.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An implement supporting device comprising a body composed of two adhesively secured parts, said parts having cooperating means dividing the assembled body into upper and lower compartments, the lower compartment including weighting means confined by said first named means in supporting the device with a normal vertical axis of the body perpendicular to said first named means, the upper part of said body having an aperture opening into the upper compartment for support of an implement, said weighting means being such as to maintain the axis of said aperture at all times at an angle to any perpendicular axis extending through said body, said body having means centrally thereof forming at the lower portion of the body, a projecting rocking track portion facilitating rocking movement of the device in insertion and removal of an implement with respect to the aperture in said body.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said parts of the body are joined substantially centrally thereof, and said first named means comprising a partition wall separating the upper compartment from said lower compartment.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said body includes an aperture opening into said lower compartment, a plug for closing said last named aperture, and said body including side portions extending laterally with respect to the rocking portion of said body.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said last named means comprises spaced circumferential ribs projecting from said body.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the joined surfaces of said parts have circumferentially spaced' References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1929 Heilbrun -108 5/1932 Zimmerman 120-108 LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN IMPLEMENT SUPPORTING DEVICE COMPRISING A BODY COMPOSED OF TWO ADHESIVELY SECURED PARTS, SAID PARTS HAVING COOPERATING MEANS DIVIDING THE ASSEMBLED BODY INTO UPPER AND LOWER COMPARTMENTS, THE LOWER COMPARTMENT INCLUDING WEIGHTING MEANS CONFINED BY SAID FIRST NAMED MEANS IN SUPPORTING THE DEVICE WITH A NORMAL VERTICAL AXIS OF THE BODY PERPENDICULAR TO SAID FIRST NAMED MEANS, THE UPPER PART OF SAID BODY HAVING AN APERTURE OPENING INTO THE UPPER COMPARTMENT FOR SUPPORT OF AN IMPLEMENT, SAID WEIGHTING MEANS BEING SUCH AS TO MAINTAIN THE AXIS 